Speaking the language of the barangays


Wishing the Villahanons and thousands of people present a Happy Fiesta before the start of the fireworks competition


Speaking infront of hundreds of students, teachers, members of the academe during a Dep Ed Regional Event


The king and queen of the Arevalo District Fiesta. I was told that the gown of the queen was worth P300,000


Speaking to the barangay residents


Enjoying the company of the barangay folks and watching a Mandurriao barangay's Disco Derby


The 11 lovely candidates of 2009 Ms. Dinagyang


One of the Ms. Dinagyang Contestants wearing a Tribu like costume



witnessing the Jaro Opening Salvo parade. Ilonggo singer Jose Marie Chan and wife are the proud parents of the 2009 Jaro Festival Queen


January 19, 2009

The Dinagyang Fever is becoming hotter and hotter...but the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is not the only festival that's being celebrated in Iloilo City...

January 17 was a full packed day of various festivities. In the afternoon of that day the Opening Salvo of the said most prestigious fiesta, the Jaro Fiesta, was welcomed by hundreds and hundreds of proud residents of Jaro. I myself reside in the District of Jaro. I am looking forward to the main event of the Jaro Fiesta this coming February. In the evening of Jan 17, the opening salvo of the Dinagyang Festival last January 16 was followed by the showcase of beauty, talent and wit of the Ms. Dinagyang 2009 contestants. It was a very simple yet elegant and high impact affair. Congratulations to Ms. Nathalie Roberts for winning the crown. She represented the Bola Bola tribe of Iloilo National High School. The night she won the crown was the same night the coronation program of the Arevalo District Fiesta was held. It was a very grand affair. It was something to remember. Congratulations to the organizers of the Arevalo District Coronation Program, the 2009 Queen and her family as well. On that same night also, two Mandurriao district barangays started to celebrate their fiesta with a Disco Derby. It was a showcase of youth talent and skill.

January 18 was not just a regular Sunday. I started my day with my regular radio program in Aksyon Radyo Iloilo and then went to the Regional Department of Education event in a mall here in Iloilo City where there was a showcase of Western Visayas youth talent and intellect. After that, I went around Villa Arevalo and ate lunch in a number of houses there and that continued until dinner time. In the evening, the bright colors of the light coming from the Arevalo fireworks competition entries amazed the thousands of Villahanons, City Residents and guests from the Philippines and abroad. Truly, Arevalo is the fireworks capital of our city. Afterwhich, I ended my day by joining a Mandurriao District barangay fiesta.

There are more upcoming festivities in Iloilo City....the highlight of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is this coming weekend...the celebration of the Chinese New Year follows ... for February, the awaited Jaro Fiesta highlight event and the Paraw Regatta Festival will again keep the local economy of our city lively and exciting.

Visit Iloilo City. Come, enjoy and relax here. Experience the Ilonggo warm hospitality.